On several occasions I have heard the remark passed that the east coast, particularly that of Norfolk, is in a state of upheaval and unsafe. Such statements are exaggerated. Life is going on much as usual, and many of these places are classified as reception areas. A far greater deterrent for intending visitors to Norfolk is their wretched train service, which particularly effects the Royal Cromer Club, for they are rather oddly placed through only having about 20 local members, the remainder being drawn from various parts of the country. This seattered membership includes many well-known figures, one very much to the fore at present being Sir Samuel Hoare, who is a keen golfer.
Before playing over the course John Barrow conducted me round the clubhouse, and I could not help comparing the present comfortable structure with that wood and corrugated iron butcher's shop which was purchased from Roger lo Neve, a local farmer, in 1890 and converted into a nineteenth: The contrast between past and present is also noticeable during the round, for the new ground, extending towards Over-strand, is flat, with distinct inland features, whereas the older holes are grouped on the high ground by the cliff edge and mark where the original nine-hole course was laid out in 1887, the formal opening taking place the following year.
Even in those pioneering days this small layout gained considerable popularity, which is readily understandable, for the springy turf is a positive joy to walk on, whilst the cliff scenery is without rival on this coast, Eventually it was decided to extend the course to the full 18 holes, and "Old Tom" Morris was appointed for the task. That he did his work well is apparent from the fact that ten years later this course was chosen as the venue for the Ladies' Championship. This event was also the occasion, although not officially recognized, of the first ladies' international match between Great Britain and America. This forerunner of the Curtis Cup series was contested between teams of seven, the American side including the sisters Margaret and Harriet' Curtis, the donors of the present trophy, and resulted in a home victory by 6 matches to 1 With some clubs it is difficult to single out one particular hole for special mention, but at Cromer this problem does not arise, for without hesitation I should choose the dog-legged fifteenth, which runs perilously close to the cliff edge. The drive has to carry a bunker which is a pocket edition of the famous fifth hole hazard at Westward Ho.
No visit to Cromer, however, is complete without visiting Target Hill, a bold gorse-clad hill on the very edge of the cliff. From the summit it is possible to see almost every hole, whilst far below us can be seen the results of the relentless undermining action of the sea. Much of the course.has already been consigned to the deep, end I suppose one day this very hill will follow the old village of Shipden, which now lies beneath the sea.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.